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Frequently I see people complaining about garter stitch lace; especially when they are knitting lace shawls in the round. The very thought of purling entire rows seems to make a lot of people blanch. Likewise many people complain about the long purl back rows when doing stockinette knit back and forth.

Now I don't mind purling that much; well, not unless I'm doing a 1 x 1 rib and then more because I can't count. But I've also learned to knit backwards (or purl backwards - depending on how one looks at it)- which means a number of things:

a) when knitting flat I don't turn my work, I just purl back/knit back backwards. It's faster and more convenient then turning and purling, partially because when I "purl" backwards I'm scooping yarn rather then throwing.

b) in the round, I can TURN my work and knit backwards/purl backwards for garter stitch - again faster.

C) when knitting on edges - I don't have to turn the work after each of thsose short rows.

d) it confuses the heck out of people watching my knitting! (added bonus)

After 25 odd years of knitting sweaters, piece by piece, I've finally tried knitting a top-down raglan in the round. I've got to say I may never go back to the old way again. It's fast (finished in two weeks), relatively simple, and the results were great, plus no seaming...gotta love that.

Anyhow, do any of you have a formula, or trick for converting regular stitch patterns to patterns that can be knit in the round...if so I'd love to know what they are. I don't want to knit every sweater in just straight stocking stitch if I can avoid it.

I am missing my companion Socrates so much right now. He was a good cat and a great traveling companion. I received a secret santa package addressed to myself and Socrates. Inside was a gift for myself and a bag of kitty treats. Broke my heart.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c50/mason61/00002.jpg
I miss him very much.

For those of you who asked, the East Texas Christmas saga has just been posted on my blog texknitter.blogspot.com. complete with more pics from the weekend. For those of you who just don't care, you probably shouldn't anyway and I probably wouldn't blame you if you didn't.

And Mike.... the Algonquin, with the exception of just a few, embraced me dearly. There is one in particular that you know literally charms the pants off me!

okay - this isn't a full head of steam screaming rant - more of an "I don't understand the world I'm living in and think I may be crazy" rant.

Let me say first that I'm no expert; I am also aware I am much more "fly by the seat of my pants" in style then many people; and I try to take the advice of my acting coach (Dare to Suck!) to heart in life as well as on-stage;

But just how detailed do people expect directions to be ??? ! ???

For example - There is a circular shawl pattern out there that starts with:

Cast on 8 stitches; knit one round; double the number of stitches on the next round (16 stitches).

I can think of several ways to accomplish the above - most of which would not make much difference at all in the final product. We are talking a total of 32 stitches in an item with many thousands of stitches. The three most miniscule rows in a shawl with almost 200 rounds.

Would you believe over ***THREE WEEKS*** of discussion on how to cast on and what method to double the stitches? and wether or not they should join the stitches into a round at the caston, on the first round, or after doubling.

Am I the crazy one or is the above taking obsessive to an extreme? Good God, if you can't decide which way - an hour or so of experimenting could give you multiple examples to choose from and you could then proceed!

The effing samoyed dog fur afghan is finished, photoed, and delivered. The new owner will have to wash, stretch and block it. I will post pictures soon. I am VASTLY relieved to see that thing gone, as nice as it was....

When I found out Granny would be coming with the in laws for the holidays, I decided it was time to knit her something. This would be Christmas #2 without Granddad, and the Best Beloved and I wanted it to be special. Granny is a bit of a hoot - not the traditional grandma, she was always more comfortable dealing cards than baking cookies. Upon getting her first hearing aids, she remarked, loudly and in a crowd, that she had no idea it made so much noise when she pee-ed.

I decided that Fun Fur stole would be just the thing (the "Chinchilla Stole" on the Lion Yarn website). This was before I had ever knitted with Fun Fur.

Now, I have been knitting for 20 years or so. I spin most of my own yarn. I long ago memorized Elizabeth Zimmerman's percentage system and have given up on patterns. I am as comfortable knitting with the right hand as with the left hand. I am not a great knitter, but I am as comfortable with yarn and needles as I ever expect to get - but I met my match with Fun Fur!!!

The first challenge was dropping a stitch. Generally, not much of a challenge, but between the lashes of this eye lash yarn and the slipperyness of the polyester - I ended up having to rip the whole thing out and start over 1/3 of the way through.

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xtophercb: had to give up on knittinghelp.com ... too much anti-guy teasing that was becoming outright disdain. too bad, it actually lived up to its name and was very helpful for a time.4 weeks 4 days ago

buddha: Any knitting guy on Maui?15 weeks 1 day ago

Joe-in Wyoming: I hope you all have a Blessed weekend. Shalom to my friends who observe Passover and Happy Easter to those celebrate. Everyone else, just because you are you.17 weeks 3 days ago

buddha: anybody help me find a pattern for a tee shirt. 2Xl or 3 XL. Too hot here for a sweater and I've got this great cotton yarn ready to work with??19 weeks 5 days ago

CLABBERS: Everyone being affected by this latest snow storm, be careful. Stay in and knit!22 weeks 23 hours ago

Joe-in Wyoming: Happy Lunar New Year, everybody. Today begins the Year of the Sheep/Goat.23 weeks 3 days ago

michaelpthompson: I sure hope to go. I have been to two of them, and it's an excellent time.23 weeks 6 days ago

Joe-in Wyoming: I've been lucky enough to have attended every RMMKR and plan to go to this year's event.24 weeks 6 days ago